Only 500 Model 1840 Type I carbines were manufactured by Simeon North in 1840 under contract with the U.S. Government based on John H. Hall's earlier breech loading design. North is easily one of the most important gunmakers of the early republic and manufactured U.S. martial arms from 1799 until his death in 1852. The vast majority of the already rare Model 1840 Type I carbines were smoothbore. Original rifled Type Is like this one are known and especially desirable but rarely come available. The primary difference between the Type I and the more common but still rare Type II carbines is the "L"/elbow shaped breech lever mounted on the trigger plate of the former and the "fishtail" release on the latter. The carbine has the standard fixed sights and an "NPW" inspector mark on the rifled barrel. The barrel bands are marked "33" on the bottom. The breechblock is marked "US/S. NORTH/MIDLTN/CONN./1840". A sling ring is fitted near the end of the lower tang. The stock has a cartouche on the upper left. A brass inventory tag marked "191" is included.

Fine with a gray and brown blend of 70% faded original brown lacquer finish and patina on most of the carbine, bluish case colors and patina on the breech, some light oxidation and pitting, distinct markings other than the cartouche, mild scrapes and dings on the sanded wood, and some small chips in the stock. Mechanically fine. This is a very rare variation of an already very rare U.S. martial arm. This is one of a few rifled Model 1840 Type I Hall-North's we have offered at auction.